I attribute much of my daughter’s success to the skills she is learning in her therapeutic riding lessons. She has grown in social skills and athleticism that enriches her life.

– Matthew Clous

Our Mission

Dreams on Horseback was founded to help people with challenges improve their lives through horse-assisted learning experiences and education.

Give

Riley’s anxiety has lifted. Alicia takes her medicine willingly in exchange for riding lessons. Ben can walk farther and stand longer. Cameron’s attitude at school has improved. Ruth’s caregivers have seen a decrease in her agitation. Important dreams fulfilled by your gift of hope to Dreams on Horseback.

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Volunteer

As part of our team, you will get to live the dream right alongside our students, inspiring staff, and gentle horses. Have experience with horses? Wonderful! No experience? No problem! We will provide training and opportunity as you grow into an important part of our Dreams family of volunteers.

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Participate

Riding lessons are offered to people of all ages and abilities. Depending on your personal goals, riding lesson objectives can range from therapeutic based activities on horseback to preparation for off-site horse show participation. Get started working toward your personal riding goals today!

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In The News

Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback:
Where Connection is Key

In The News

John Ondo of OndoMedia was recently awarded his fourth Emmy for his video essay on the importance of the work we do at Dreams on Horseback to two of our participants and their families. Please enjoy John’s award winning film!

Military Connections 2018 from Ondo Media on Vimeo.

Special Event

Join us for the 2019 Walk, Trot, & Decanter Gala

Events and News

December 2018

Byers Auto Group Employee Donation

Thank you to Scott Basinger and the employees of Byers Auto Group that graced Dreams on Horseback with a generous donation that will help support the many horse partner programs that take place at our center.

Military Connections Christmas Party

Dreams on Horseback was honored to host an evening of fun and fellowship for our Military Connections participants. Meeting the social needs of vets is just one of the goals of the program presented by ORIX Foundation and Red Capital Group. Veterans enjoyed riding, a horse obstacle course challenge, a chili soup supper and writing cards for their brothers and sisters at Walter Reed. They also were delighted to each receive a pair of Rocky Boots from the Ohio based company in appreciation of their service. Special thanks to Darlene Bell for chairing such a special event. Thank you also to Roush Ford and Roush Honda for your sponsorship of this and other Dreams on Horseback programs.

Dreams on Horseback Riders' and Volunteers' Christmas Party

Dreams on Horseback riders and volunteers enjoyed an annual Christmas party Sunday evening at Peace Lutheran Church, Gahanna Ohio. Party goers enjoyed a visit from Santa, a pizza buffet, a film chronicling the experiences of our Gahanna Special Olympics Equestrian Team sponsored by Anderson Family Dental, and more! If you have additional pictures from the party please share them in the comments below.

October 2018

ORIX Foundation Grant

Executive Director Jennifer Hansen receives 2019 Orix Foundation Grant from Michele Duffill of Red Capital Group. — with Red Capital and ORIX Foundation.  This grant will support Dreams on Horseback's 2019 Military Connections participants who engage in a number of therapeutic programs including horsemanship, horseback riding lessons, and equine assisted learning.

Our Programs

Program Descriptions

While Dreams on Horseback frequently custom designs programs for diverse groups, the following reflect our permanent programming opportunities:

Therapeutic Riding Lessons

Children and adults with special needs tackle their individual challenges from atop one of our kind and gentle therapy horses. Trained and certified instructors use engaging activities and games to encourage their students to solve problems, face fears, and complete physical tasks. Students are assisted by supportive side-walkers and a horse handler as they grow in competence.

Equine Assisted Learning

Horses are unique in their ability to read our non-verbal cues and give clear non-verbal feedback to us. These natural responses by our equine partners lay the groundwork for gifted instructors to lead participants on a journey of introspection. Participants may be asked to observe their equine partner’s response to them. What does this tell the participant about himself? It is up to the participant to decide.

Alzheimer’s Sensory Experiences

Seniors enjoy an outing to the farm where they are introduced to our horses through a variety of sensory experiences such as grooming, touching, education and observation. These sessions are led by our sensitive staff who have years of experience serving our seniors. An OSU study conducted in conjunction with Dreams on Horseback found that this program lessened agitation in participants.

Vocational Training

Dreams on Horseback offers young adults with special needs the opportunity to learn valuable work and social skills needed for the workplace. Students learn and provide the authentic service of caring for our barn and horses. Staff helps students realize and implement skills which will guarantee their success in their first work experience beyond Dreams on Horseback.

Military Connections at Dreams on Horseback

Dreams on Horseback is honored to host our military and veterans. These men and women learn the joys of horsemanship while participating in equine-assisted learning workshops that are designed with the unique experiences of military personnel and veterans in mind. Military and veterans are given the training necessary to serve as side-walkers or handlers for fellow service men or women riders or for our therapeutic lesson students.

Field Trips

Would your group enjoy a trip to the farm? Let us design a field trip customized to your time frame and preferred format (educational or experiential). Experience life on the farm, learn some fun facts about horses and their care, go for a handler led ride, and enjoy our beautiful grounds where you can lunch creek side in our beautiful wooded picnic grounds.

Traditional Riding Lessons

Dreams on Horseback offers traditional riding lessons for individuals wishing to learn to ride in either the English or Western tradition. These lessons are open to all individuals weighing less than 200 lbs. Whether your goals are to learn basic riding and horsemanship skills, or to prepare for off-grounds horse showing, Dreams on Horseback can help you reach your goals. Most traditional lessons are held at Stepping Stone Stables.

Corporate Team Building

Groups, such as corporate work teams, can also benefit from Equine Assisted Learning Methods. Participants are challenged to examine their role in their group by working together to meet a challenge put forth by the instructor. You'll never know where equine assisted learning might take you.

Schedule a Visit Today

Our programs, trips, and experiences are customize-able and flexible to fit a diverse array of needs. Contact us soon to find out more.

Our Partners and Donors

Helping others reach their dreams through horse-assisted programming can only happen through the pairing of our passion and your generous support. We thank you!